The Montreal Alouettes announced that the club has signed former Hamilton Ticats quarterback Dan Lefevour to a one year deal. The Als, who were also looking for the services of CFL journeyman Kevin Glenn, chose to go with Lefevour after Glenn signed with Saskatchewan.
Lefevour, who was likely looked at seriously by other CFL clubs, comes to Montreal after a year that was successful while he was healthy. He is coming off an torn ACL, which could pose a problem for the athletic pivot if it wasn’t rehabbed properly.
The Als now have the luxury of two young guys who have something to prove out on the field, which could be great for the club, as the inside competition will likely bring out the best in both quarterbacks.
It’s hard to compare their stats side-by-side, as Lefevour only has a small sample size with his ACL injury last season. However, it should be noted that he was accurate at times, and more importantly in a league with a recent trend of mobile quarterbacks, Lefevour can and will run.
In 2013 Dan Lefevour was 40 of 62 for 394 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions and a below-average QBR of 74.3.
By comparison, Johnathon Crompton went 30 of 58 for 451 yards, with five touchdowns and five interceptions for a QBR of 70.4.
Last season (2014), Lefevour was again in limited action, and went 101 of 149 for 1276 yards, with four touchdowns and four interceptions and a QBR of 92.
Crompton had a great year in 2014, going 179 of 308 for 2482 yards, picking up 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions, for a QBR of 85.2.
Certainly Crompton was not lacking bravery last season, his playing style being “I’ll throw it up there, you go get it.” The main concern for him is whether that approach is sustainable in this league. Crompton had an outstanding record last season but that can be put squarely on the play of the Als’ stingy defence, not entirely on the play of Crompton.
A glaring concern for Crompton and the Als brass will be the loss of East All-star Duron Carter, who left for the NFL dreams. Without Carter, Crompton now has lost his favorite target from last year, who worked well with Crompton’s playing style. SJ Green is still an Alouette, of course, and he’ll be a good target for either Crompton or Lefevour.
That’s where the mobile style of Dan Lefevour may be an asset for the Als. Lefevour has amassed 631 yards on the ground in the past two seasons with a combined 11 touchdowns. He is mobile in the pocket and not afraid to gain a crucial first down with his legs. The elusive Lefevour has had since August to rehab his knee injury, and with his playing style it’s imperative that he remain cautious until he is ready.
Crompton, by comparison, is a true pocket passer, with his 2013 and 2014 combined rushing yards sitting at 174 and one touchdown.
The pocket passer appears to be a dying breed in the CFL; clubs are moving to mobile QBs to get another threat and less predictability. It also opens up the coach’s playbook and the entire field if the mobile passer is dangerous on the ground.
It’s not set in stone who will be the starter on opening day for the Als, much like it’s not set in stone who will be the starter at season’s end. However with two young QBs who bring in two different styles to the game, and the loss of Duron Carter, it wouldn’t be a shock if Lefevour came out of this friendly competition in front of Crompton.
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